What an AMAZING long but rewarding week it has been. We started the week with the youth group from Spring Lake UMC (near Tampa, FL). Seventeen youth & adults on their first trip to Haiti. We spent the week working in the mountains above Port au Prince. Everyday was long, each day we had nearly a 4 hour round trip commute, and 6 hours of day camp.

And an hour later...

Each day we averaged 100 kids eager to play games, make crafts, sing, and most of all learn about our Creator. We learned several simple lessons on this adventure... Very few of the kids know how to use scissors, simple games are way more fun than complex ones (especially being translated), and there are at least 15 different ways to eat a package of snack crackers.

We were blessed with two special visitors this week. Matt's aunt Janet came to help with day camp. Also, Nina (from Asheville!) came along to help us too. Nina was Sarah's traveling partner on her first trip to Haiti in 2010.

To wrap up the week, we did something wild & crazy. We hosted our first group of orphans at the Orphan Retreat Center property. We were able to bring the team along with our staff and 10 of the kids from the children's home. We flew kites, played in the water, ate coconuts, and played soccer. The kids ran barefoot through the grass for hours, a first experience for many of them (Willow included).

Everyday was long, and full of excitement. We've really loved this week for several reasons. First, we were able to introduce 17 people to Haiti for the first time. Second, we worked with American high school & college students to minister to orphans in their small mountain village and at the beach. This week has energized and excited us in ways that words cannot describe.  It's fun to watch God unfold his plan for our lives; to see Him working, and be invited to join Him in a front row seat.
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